Auchentoshan 12 years old Delicate and Layered Single Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 40%

Where the Clyde bends past old shipyards just outside Glasgow sits one of the Lowlands' last surviving distilleries. Auchentoshan does something almost no other Scottish distillery bothers with: they distill three times instead of two, and locals have long called the result their "breakfast whisky" – that's how light and gentle it is.

The Expert's Description

Auchentoshan 12 Years is a Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in bourbon and sherry casks and bottled at 40%.

The distillery sits at the foot of the Kilpatrick Hills just outside Glasgow and has been making whisky since 1823. What sets Auchentoshan apart is its triple distillation – a method historically found almost nowhere else in Scotland outside the Lowlands, and more commonly associated with Ireland. The spirit runs through three copper stills instead of the usual two, producing a lighter, cleaner distillate that then matures in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks for at least 12 years. The name Auchentoshan comes from the Gaelic Achadh an Oisein, "corner of the field", and the distillery also goes by the nickname Glasgow's Malt Whisky, thanks to its closeness to the city.

The distillery is now owned by Suntory Global Spirits, who took it over in 1994 through Morrison Bowmore Distillers. During the Second World War, one of Auchentoshan's warehouses was hit by a German bomb, and production stood still for several years before resuming in 1948. The soft, lightly sweet character that still defines the whisky today has made it a natural first stop for anyone new to single malt.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Toasted almonds and a lightly caramelised sweetness meet fresh citrus notes and a touch of honey.

Palate

Soft and rounded, with vanilla, mild caramel and a hint of nuttiness balanced by a light citrus tartness.

Finish

Short to medium, warm and gently spiced, with a lingering nutty sweetness and a touch of ginger.

Specifications

Name: Auchentoshan 12 Years
Distillery: Auchentoshan
Region/Country: Lowland, Scotland
Type: Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Bourbon and Sherry Casks
Distillation method: Triple Distilled
EAN no.: 5010496001769

Flavour Profile

Soft · Nutty · Lightly Sweet · Creamy · Delicate

Did You Know?

During a German bombing raid in 1941, one of Auchentoshan's warehouses was completely destroyed. The crater left by the bomb was later dug out into a pond that still sits on the distillery grounds today.

See our full range of Auchentoshan

Frequently Asked Questions about Auchentoshan 12 Years

What does Auchentoshan 12 Years taste like?

It's known for being unusually soft and light, with toasted almonds, vanilla and a mild caramel sweetness without any rough edges. That's a direct result of the triple distillation, which strips out the heavier, coarser notes.

Why does Auchentoshan distil three times?

Most Scottish distilleries distil twice, but Auchentoshan runs its spirit through three copper stills. That produces a cleaner, lighter distillate, which is the main reason behind the whisky's famous smoothness.

Is Auchentoshan 12 Years a good whisky for beginners?

Yes, it's often recommended to people new to single malt, precisely because it's so approachable and doesn't carry the heavy, smoky character found in many other parts of Scotland.

Should Auchentoshan 12 Years be served with ice or neat?

Try it neat or with a few drops of water at room temperature first – that opens up the citrus and vanilla notes. Ice mutes the delicate sweetness more than this gentle whisky can really handle.

Which glass suits Auchentoshan 12 Years best?

A narrow whisky glass such as a Glencairn glass gathers the aromas best, letting the mild citrus and almond notes come apart. See our range of whisky glasses.

What makes Auchentoshan different from other Lowland whiskies?

Historically, Auchentoshan was the only Lowland distillery to triple distil all of its whisky – a method otherwise mostly associated with Ireland. See the rest of our range of Lowland Whisky.

Does Auchentoshan 12 Years pair well with food?

Its light, creamy style suits soft cheeses, almond cake or a light lemon dessert – flavours that won't overpower the whisky's gentle character.